Sunday, January 10, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 3:1-4, we learned about the importance of living right. In the first two chapters of Proverbs, Solomon wrote about the importance of gaining wisdom and understanding, and in the opening verses of this chapter, he wrote that we should not forget the law. The Hebrew word used in verse one for law literally means human or divine direction. It can also refer to the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law. Thus, the law to which Solomon was referring was God's law. During the times before Christ, that meant the laws given to Moses. After Christ, it has meant the Laws of Christ. Romans 8:1-2 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." We who name Christ as Savior are commanded to walk after the Holy Spirit and to obey His leading. The Spirit teaches us about Jesus. Therefore, we are to learn from Him. John 15:26 says, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me."
Solomon said that we should let our heart keep God's commandments. The Hebrew word used for heart means the inner man, the mind, the will, the heart, or the understanding. Solomon wrote throughout the Book of Proverbs that wisdom and understanding with keep us from life's troubles. In this passage, he has written about living right in a wrong world. When we put these common themes together, the message is that being wise and having understanding leads to right living. Right living, then, leads to a blessed life that is spared many of life's difficulties. There are also blessings to be gained from living right. The Bible promises that length of days, long life, and peace will be added to us. The Hebrew word used for added means to increase. Living right will not guarantee us a long life, but it will add days to the life that would have been lived in evil. Living right also does not guarantee us absolute peace, but it will add or increase the amount of peace afforded to the life that would have been lived in evil. Solomon did not say that our life would be trouble-free. But he did say that our life would have less trouble and fewer problems if we seek after godly wisdom and understanding and try to live right.
In our daily walk, we should stay as close to mercy and truth as possible. We should write these traits upon the table of our heart because they will give us favor and good understanding before both God and man. Mercy comes from the Hebrew word that means goodness, kindness, or faithfulness. We should try to be good, kind, and faithful to others. Truth comes from the Hebrew word that means sure, reliable, and stable. To live a blessed life, we must be honest with others and with ourselves. Once we have done these things, we will then find peace, long life, favor, and understanding. As you go through the coming week, try to focus on the importance of living right before God and before those around you.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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